Summer holidays are fun, but planning them and then packing your life into a couple of suitcases to go away is pretty challenging. Especially when you have more than one child.We wanted to include these tips in hope of making your packing and preparing for the holiday easy.

ChecksheetMake sure to prepare one in advance. Sometimes you may think of something that’s important during the strangest of times, but then forget to remember to actually take it. Start your checklist in advance and keep it on the fridge. Then add to it as you go.

It is widely known that Omega-3 fatty acids are important for a healthy brain function along with other huge benefits it delivers to our bodies. It is needless to say that it’s even more important for a pregnant woman as she’s growing a baby inside of her.​Out of many edible fatty acids, only Omega-3 cannot be synthesised by our body, which means fetus must receive this nutrient from their mother (through the placenta).

That’s why pregnant women are suggested to supplement their diet with Omega-3 fatty acids. It hugely helps during the fetal development, as it has a positive effect during the gestation and on birth weight.

Everyone talks about probiotics and how they can give your body a good bacteria with many benefits it brings. Lots of product providers now speak about good bacteria in their yoghurt, cereal or granola bars…​​But what are these probiotics? Well, they are live microorganisms which are located in certain yeasts, which are believed to beneficial for general health and especially digestive system.

​Some might be surprised to find out that bruising can be a sign of vitamin deficiency. Yes, that’s right, your child might be in need of vitamin C, Vitamin B-9 and B-12 and vitamin K, as these are associated with bruising easily. Once your child starts taking these vitamins as supplements, you will see that the bruising will improve.

Vitamin C helps with body’s collagen production, boosts the immune system and serves as an antioxidant. Very powerful little vitamin isn’t it!

Recently the concept of Play-Based Learning has been popular among New Zealand families andeducators.​Many sources are providing a wealth of ideas on Play-Based Learning and how to approach little learners and help them develop and learn. Play-Based Learning helps in developing social skills, relationships, communication skills, motor and fine-motor skills and problem-solving skills.

Did you know that there is a high level of Vitamin K deficiency in infants and children?​Vitamin K2 and its amazing benefits are often overlooked. However, it is, in fact, an essential vitamin which can hugely support your kids’ health and development. It has so many benefits, like promote cardiovascular health, supports coagulation and bone mineralisation.

As a child grows and learns the environment around them, it is important to encourage and support their development.

Children benefit greatly from active learning activities. Simple and fun activities can be incorporated easily into your daily life, and we would like to share nine ideas below. Remember when a question is asked to which your child finds a solution, a critical cognitive development happens which is important to the little mind.

More people are choosing a holistic way of treating themselves and their kids from sicknesses.Choosing natural or herbal medicines doesn’t just help you during or onset of a sickness, but it supports your immune system in fighting bugs naturally.

It’s no wonder that echinacea is one of the most popular herbs among adults and kids to help with winter bugs. It has proven to support the immune system and decrease and even prevent upper respiratory infections. It also helps prevent infections from developing stronger into bacterial ones.

At the end of October 2017, Childlife Essentials NZ team received an email from a group of mothers from a small town in New Zealand. ​Their children had weakened immune systems and different health disorders, and mothers had been looking for effective supplements and vitamins for the kids to improve their health.​They asked whether Childlife Essentials could provide product samples to help understand whether the supplements are suitable for kids before purchasing more.